The Selangor government's water restructuring deal with the federal government will, hopefully, be one of the legacies of Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as the state's administrator.

Speaking to the state civil servants at a monthly assembly this morning, Khalid said since taking over as menteri besar, his main aim has always been to leave behind a legacy as the head of government of the state.

"If I achieve that legacy, I consider myself a success," Khalid said in a 40-minute speech to the civil servants.

"I hope the water restructuring will be part of my legacy, which will return water rights to the people of Selangor," he said.

Khalid also used a Rudyard Kipling poem to subtly illustrate that he still believes in himself, even if others do not believe in him, in order to stay principled in the face adversity and criticism.

Accumulated state reserves

Khalid also spoke at length about the successes of the state government under his administration, mentioning the accumulated state reserves of RM3.2 billion among others.

"But while we discuss our success, the water restructuring must be mentioned as well," Khalid said, while defending the RM9.65 billion that the state has agreed to pay to take over all water concessionaires.

"Actually, we have saved RM3 billion in this compensation package. We did not want to pay more than RM9.65 billion because we do not want to burden the people of Selangor," he said.

He said took a jibe at "political parties" that have criticised the memorandum of understanding that the state government had signed with the federal government.

"They said this is a form of bribe that I have accepted from the federal government. But if this is a deal that will benefit the people of Selangor, so what? If that is called a bribe, then so be it," he asserted.

He asked the civil servants in the state not to be affected by the political crisis in the state.

"I hope you will cooperate with me continuously," he said.



Selangor crisis today

1.33pm: Selangor PAS reps still do not want to sign statutory declarations declaring support for Wan Azizah

10.22am: Khalid says he will have an audience with the sultan tomorrow

10.28am: Khalid denies graft allegations involving his out-of-court settlement with Bank Islam, but does not reveal details citing banking laws

10.53am: Khalid says the PKR-criticised water industry restructuring deal will be his legacy

12.22pm: PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim says the sultan is likely to grant an audience to Wan Azizah after he meets Khalid

10.30pm: PAS MP Khalid Samad says PAS decided not to nominate any names to the palace as it could not reach consensus